I Love Asheville…”good vibes”, “keep it weird”, “828 is great” and so much more! A big bonus with living or visiting Western North Carolina are the quaint mountain towns that surround Asheville. And during the winter months is a great time to explore. You will encounter less tourism and still plenty of businesses and parks open to the public. So, let’s get started with these gems in no particular order:
Saluda, NC
Saluda has a cute little downtown with shops, galleries, and restaurants as well as many outdoor activities. Make sure to visit the train depot. Winter hikes to these two waterfalls are invigorating! Come back in the summertime to visit the Green River Gorge.
Black Mountain/Montreat, NC
Once again, Black Mountain has a thriving downtown with even more shops, restaurants, and galleries. Popular Lake Tomahawk is a few blocks from downtown. And nearby Montreat, longtime home to the Billy Graham family, offers creeks, playgrounds, and the fantastic Graybeard Trail for hiking. If you fall in love, come back in the summer and enjoy live music at Pisgah Brewing. I did camp counseling in Black Mountain and still love the memories!
Maggie Valley
If you enjoy winter sports head to Maggie Valley for the closest ski and tube venues…
Flat Rock, NC
Undoubtedly, my two favorite things to do in Flat Rock are the Playhouse and Carl Sandburg’s home, the “Poet of the People”. There are shows in February/March which is the perfect time to be inside experiencing amazing talent! My daughters took theatre and voice while growing up in Asheville. Top Notch training and instructors!
Hot Springs, NC
Brevard
Brevard reminds me of the small towns I grew up in. It definitely has small town charm with its locally owned shops and restaurants.
A few of the great hikes are…
On those really cold winter days where you just do not want to be outside, experience culture at one of these great institutions by attending a lecture, concert, or sporting event…
Enjoy yourselves!!!